Three's a Crowd (13 page)

“Daddy, listen. Alejandro was upset. He had to talk to me about something important. Please.” I could hear the tears in Eve’s voice. Her face was wet, shining in the rain.

“It is true, Señor Ripley.” Alejandro choked as Jonno’s hand tightened round his neck.

“Oh God,” Chloe breathed. I looked round. She and Ryan were standing next to me by the door, open-mouthed.

“He was upset, Daddy. He just needed a friend,” Eve pleaded, now trying to push her way between her father and Alejandro.

My heart twisted as I watched her. She wasn’t even aware I was here. All she cared about was saving that bastard’s skin.

“Daddy, listen.”

Jonno suddenly straightened up, away from Alejandro, and turned on her. “SHUT UP, EVE,” he roared. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. If he was upset it was to . . . to get you into bed. If he said he needed a friend it was to turn you into something else.”

I could feel myself nodding.

“I knew I should have insisted you went to a Catholic school,” Jonno shouted. “That’s one thing the Spanish get right.”

“But nothing happened,” Eve insisted, tears streaming down her face. “He didn’t touch me. We were just talking.”

“IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,” Jonno bellowed.

“Don’t say, Eva,” Alejandro pleaded.

She looked at him, shaking her head.

Jonno shoved Alejandro against the wall again.

In that second I flashbacked to the night Ben beat me up. The same terror I’d felt was in Alejandro’s eyes now. For a moment the old panic rose in me. I pushed it away as Jonno drew back his fist.
Yes.
Hate burned like acid in my chest.

“What could possibly explain my daughter being in your room and you not taking advantage of her?” Jonno spat.

Alejandro stared back at him – silent and defiant.

“For God’s sake, Dad,” Eve sobbed. “He’s not even into girls. He’s gay.”

Time seemed to stop for a few seconds. I was suddenly aware of the rain falling on the roof behind me. A relentless spatter. Somewhere nearby an overflow pipe was gushing water into a drain. The world smelled damp and fresh.

Alejandro was gay? Which meant he wasn’t into girls? Which meant he
wasn’t
after Eve?

I stared at him. He was hanging his head, his face suddenly flushed. Then he looked up at Eve. He didn’t say anything but the expression in his eyes was clear, even from where I was standing.

You’ve betrayed me.

“I’m sorry,” Eve stammered.

“Gay?” Jonno let go of Alejandro’s shoulder. He stood back, his forehead wrinkled in a frown. “Really?”

Alejandro said nothing.

Jonno’s frown deepened. “Does your dad know?”

“No.” Alejandro glared at him. “I do not choose to tell him yet.” He looked away and caught sight of me and Chloe and Ryan over by the door. His face flooded a deeper red, then he muttered something in Spanish and turned and strode away round the side of the alley.

My heart was beating fast. I was so used to thinking that every guy who saw Eve wanted her that I was finding it difficult to absorb what had just happened and what it meant.

Jonno looked equally confused. He made no attempt to follow Alejandro. Instead, he brushed his wet hair from his face and turned to Eve. “What were you doing in his room so late?”

Eve put her hands on her hips. “I told you,” she said. “We were talking. He’d just got back from your meal and he was really upset about his dad. He’s desperate to come out to his family, but he’s terrified of what they’ll say. They’re very traditional, Dad. You
know
that.”

Jonno nodded slowly. “He’s totally gay? He’s sure?”

“Yes.” Eve gripped his arm. “You won’t say anything to his dad, will you?”

I watched them, a delicious glow spreading through my entire body. Eve wasn’t after Alejandro. He wasn’t after her. They were friends, like she’d said. Just talking. Which meant she must still want me.

“Eve.” I took a step towards her, my whole face stretched in a smile.

Eve and Jonno spun round. Eve’s mouth fell open.

“What are you doing here?” Jonno roared.

“I just want to talk to Eve.” I was still grinning at her. If I could just get her on her own, everything would be all right.

“Get out of it,” Jonno bellowed.

Ryan grabbed my arm. “Not now.” He dragged me backwards towards the stage door.

I struggled against him. Eve had turned back to her dad. Jonno had his arm round her shoulders, guiding her past the wall and out of the alley. “I have to talk to her.”

“Later, man.” Ryan pulled me through the stage door. Chloe slammed it shut behind us and leaned against it, blocking my way out.

The thud of the disco bass echoed in the distance.

“No.” I pulled away from Ryan.

He yanked me back again. “The last thing Eve needs is to have to stop her dad beating up on
another
guy.”

“Ryan’s right.” I felt Chloe’s hand on my arm. “Let it go for now. You’ll see her in the morning.”

I slumped back against the wall. It didn’t matter. Like Chloe said, I would see Eve in the morning. Everything was sorted now. I was suddenly aware of my damp shirt clinging to my back. Soaked to the skin, and exhausted. Completely drained, like I could hardly stand up.

“Okay.” I straightened up and reached for the door leading outside again. “I’m going to bed.” Chloe stood back as I opened the door and dragged myself back out, into the soft, falling rain.

I slept late the next morning. When I woke the sun was streaming in through the open window. I could hear the faint squeals of excitement from the kids in the pool, and birds singing in the trees round the back of the room. I leaped out of bed, determined to find Eve straight away.

Ryan had left me a text:

E & C in crèche til 12. c u l8r. R.

Crap.
It was now ten-thirty. I didn’t dare go anywhere near the crèche. Never mind. I would go and get a headstart on Mum’s homework. Then meet Eve when she finished. I checked the timetable for the week. Good. My waiting tables shift didn’t begin until four this afternoon. Even allowing for homework time and Eve’s rehearsal, we should get an hour or two together.

I showered, pulled on some long shorts and a T-shirt and raced happily up to the stuffy little office. I’d started leaving my homework papers in there. Jonno didn’t seem to mind, and it saved lugging them backwards and forwards from the room. I rifled through the English language worksheets, pulling out what I knew I was supposed to be working on today. Then I switched on the computer and checked my emails. There was one from Mum.

Dear Luke, Here’s another scan of the baby. This one a bit clearer I think. I’m still sure it’s a boy. You have been so good with your homework I’ve decided to let you off the last ten days. You deserve a break. All my love, Mum.

I stared at the email, reading it twice to make sure I’d properly understood.

Yeees.

No more stupid homework. I’d have masses more time with Eve now. I quickly opened up the attachment. Another grainy, black and white photograph. I squinted at it. How was that any clearer? Never mind, I’d look at it later. Chloe had loved the last scan. I clicked on the printer icon and waited impatiently for the picture to appear.

I sent Mum an email.

Thanks, you are brilliant. Is baby really there – can’t work out where any of it is! lots of love. L.

I grinned. Just the sort of email Mum would like.

I pressed send, scrunched the scan up in my pocket and shoved all my old homework sheets in the bin. Seconds later I was switching off the computer and heading out the door, happier than I could ever remember feeling.

I wandered down to the pool, where Marco was on duty. We chatted for a bit. Apparently Lola had walked out after her row with Jonno last night. No-one had seen her since.

“She go,” Marco said dramatically. “And she take her big chest also.” He grinned at me. “I shall miss.”

The news filled me with further happiness. Eve hated Lola. If Lola had left, Eve would be ecstatic. The day was getting better and better.

I wandered down to the crèche just before twelve. I could see Pilar outside in the playground. Chloe was there too, grimly pushing three little girls on the swings. She looked bored as hell.

No sign of Eve. She must be indoors.

Not wanting to risk Pilar’s wrath by getting too close, I sat a hundred yards or so away in the shade of the olive trees. The grass was still a little damp from last night, but the sun was burning hot now in a bright blue sky. It was a beautiful day. A perfect day. While I was waiting I picked a few wild flowers from under the trees. Eve always loved little romantic gestures like that. It wasn’t often I thought of them. But I did today.

Then I sat and waited.

She came out at five past twelve, looking round for Chloe. The two of them sauntered along the path together, waving goodbye to Pilar. The sun glinted off Eve’s blonde hair as she walked. She was wearing jeans and her Bonita Babe T-shirt was filthy with paint and glue. I didn’t think she’d ever looked more beautiful. I rushed over, the little bunch of flowers gripped tightly in my hand.

Eve and Chloe were deep in conversation and didn’t see me until I was right in front of them. Eve looked up. She didn’t smile.

“Eve?” I said.

I was grinning, so sure she would be happy to see me.

But she looked away.

I stepped closer. “Eve?” I touched her arm.

She whipped it away like I’d burned her. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

What?
I glanced at Chloe, bewildered. Chloe bit her lip. I motioned her to go away. With a look at Eve, Chloe sighed and slunk off.

I moved round in front of Eve. The sun was fierce on the back of my neck. “Eve? What’s wrong?”

She looked up at me, her eyes full of contempt. “You didn’t believe me.”

“You mean about Alejandro?” I frowned. “But . . . but I didn’t understand before. He’s . . . it’s like you were with a girlfriend or something. I get it, now.”

Eve’s eyes were like chips of ice. “You don’t get it at all, Luke. I asked you to trust me and you didn’t.”

“But you admitted you were in his room.” I clenched my fists, every nerve and muscle in my body tensed with the effort of making her see that I hadn’t been unreasonable.

“You acted just like my dad. Worse. At least he was only angry at Alejandro.
You
thought I was two-timing you.”

“But you’ve got to see how it looked to me.”

“No, Luke,” she said. “How about
you
trying to see how not trusting me looked to
me
?”

I stared at her, panic whirling in my chest.

And then she said it.

“I can’t go out with you any more.”

She took a step past me.

No. No. No. This isn’t happening.

I spun round. Grabbed her arm. “You can’t dump me for being jealous,” I said. “It’s because I want you so much. Because I love you.”

“You don’t love me.” Eve snatched her arm away. “I thought you did, but I can see now you don’t understand what the word means.”

“I do.” Panic filled my head. I had to make her see.

“No you don’t.” Eve’s breathing was harsh. Uneven. “You don’t have a clue.”

“Listen.” I reached out for her again.

“Piss off.” Eve pulled away. “Leave me alone. You don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t know anything about being in a relationship.”

I blinked at her, too shocked to speak. How could she think that?

“You’re pathetic,” she snarled. “You’re so immature you’re pathetic.”

No.
That wasn’t fair. My temper rose.

“
I’m
not the immature one.” I glared at her. “
You’re
the one who goes all little girly round your dad. No wonder he acts like he does. He probably thinks you’re still six.”

Eve tossed her head and stalked away from me. I strode after her.

“And you’re scared,” I shouted, insight flashing like lightning through the thunder in my mind. “You’re terrified that if he sees you as a grown-up then he won’t love you any more.”

Eve turned on me, her face scarlet.

“THAT’S NOT TRUE!” she yelled.

A couple of hotel guests strolling past stared at her.

Eve didn’t even see them. She moved closer. So close I could feel the heat coming off her face.

“That
so
isn’t true, Luke, but I’ll tell you something that is.” She gritted her teeth. “I did fancy Alejandro. And if he hadn’t been gay I would have snogged his face off.”

And with that she spun round and marched off down the path.

I stood, rooted to the spot. The sun was in my eyes as I watched her reach the pool. Everything was bleached out, a glaring white. My mind was numb. Totally numb.

I caught sight of the little bunch of flowers in my fist. The heads were starting to wilt in the harsh midday sun.

I opened my hands and let them fall to the ground.

The next few days passed in a slow, burning blur of misery. I felt best when I was angry, full of hate against Eve and Alejandro and everyone. But too often the anger dissolved and the bottom fell out of my world as I ached to be with Eve and knew that she didn’t want me.

Lola had walked out on Jonno and her job with the band. Still, he seemed to be coping with being dumped better than I was. He hired two new singers and was rumoured to be dating the hotel’s chief receptionist – a twenty-something blonde with great legs – the very next day.

Chloe and Eve got their GCSE results. Chloe had done really well – loads of As and Bs, despite having hardly worked for most of the year. She said Eve had passed everything, though not with such good grades overall. Still, she’d got an A* for Art and I knew that that was all Eve really cared about.

Chloe also told me that Eve had finally put her foot down about singing with the band, so she no longer had to rehearse in the afternoons and spend half her evenings in the nightclub. It was ironic. After weeks of hardly being able to see each other, we both, suddenly, had masses of spare time. Not that Eve started coming to the Garito or anywhere she thought I might hang out. But she took to sunbathing a lot by the pool. I often saw her there – usually being chatted up by one of the hotel guests – but I never went up to her.